Visiting the UAE in December: Weather, Events & Tips
December is the UAE’s peak month. Perfect weather (20–26°C), the UAE National Day on December 2, Christmas in a city with a large Christian expat population, and one of the world’s most photographed New Year’s Eve displays all combine to make December the most in-demand travel month. Book everything — hotels, flights, attractions, and restaurant tables — months in advance.
December Weather in the UAE
| Location | Avg High °C | Avg Low °C | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 25 | 16 | Ideal, clear, occasional light rain |
| Abu Dhabi | 25 | 15 | Perfect, dry and sunny |
| Sharjah | 25 | 15 | Similar to Dubai |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 23 | 12 | Cool evenings, mountain areas can reach 5°C |
| Fujairah | 24 | 16 | Clear, light seas, good diving |
| Al Ain | 24 | 12 | Cool and dry — best month for Al Ain |
December Events
UAE National Day (December 2): A national public holiday. Fireworks over Dubai Creek, the Burj Khalifa, Abu Dhabi Corniche, and most major cities. Light displays, flag processions, and celebrations across all emirates. Some roads close for parades. Hotels fill early that evening.
Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF): The major retail promotion typically begins in late December (exact dates vary annually) and runs through January or February. Retail discounts, nightly raffles, outdoor entertainment, and fireworks at Dubai Festival City.
Christmas: Dubai has a large Christian population and fully celebrates Christmas. Hotels, malls, and restaurants run Christmas menus and decorations from late November. Christmas Day itself is a working day (not a UAE public holiday) but festive environments are comprehensive.
New Year’s Eve: Dubai’s Burj Khalifa/Downtown fireworks are among the world’s most watched. The Burj Al Arab area and the Palm are also major celebration zones. Tickets to rooftop parties and restaurant events cost approximately AED 500–2,500 per person. Street viewing is free — arrive by 20:00 for a good Downtown position.
Ras Al Khaimah New Year’s Eve: RAK has competed for the world fireworks record multiple years. The Al Marjan Island display is spectacular and less crowded than Dubai, with many hotels offering packages from approximately AED 400–900 per person.
What to Do in December
Everything is optimal in December: desert safaris, beach days, mountain hiking in RAK and Fujairah, sightseeing, outdoor dining, and cultural visits. The weather makes Al Ain’s oasis and zoo particularly enjoyable. The Liwa area in December is also excellent — dune temperatures are around 22–28°C.
Hotels in December
Peak rates apply across the board. Book 3–6 months ahead for early December, and 6–12 months ahead for the week of December 29 through January 2 if you want specific properties.
New Year’s Week: Atlantis The Palm New Year’s packages from approximately AED 5,000 per night for two including events access. Rixos Ras Al Khaimah runs one of the best value package deals at approximately AED 2,500–3,500 per night for two including the fireworks event on Al Marjan Island.
Better value in December: The first two weeks of December (before Christmas week) represent good value relative to the last two weeks — temperatures are identical, prices are 20–30% lower.
- Burj Al Arab (Dubai): the iconic all-suite hotel; rates from approximately AED 5,000–8,000 per night in December; reserve months ahead
- Address Downtown Dubai: central for New Year’s Eve Burj Khalifa fireworks; rooms with views of the fireworks from approximately AED 3,000–5,000 on New Year’s Eve
- Rove Downtown: budget-friendly mid-range; from approximately AED 400–600 per night in early December
Restaurants to Try
- Atmosphere (Burj Khalifa, Level 122, Dubai): dinner with the world’s highest restaurant view; approximately AED 400–600 per person; booking essential months ahead for December
- Al Fanar (Dubai Festival City): traditional Emirati food; a good choice during DSF when the adjacent festival city is illuminated; approximately AED 80–150 per person
- Nusr-Et (various Dubai locations): the theatrical steakhouse experience; approximately AED 400–700 per person; queues and wait times in December — book ahead
What to Pack for December
Light to medium clothing for the 25°C days. A genuine jacket for evenings — Dubai lows hit 16°C and the mountain areas of Ras Al Khaimah can reach 5–8°C overnight. Layers work well since indoor AC remains aggressive despite the cooler outdoor temperatures. Swimwear — the sea and pool weather is excellent. Good walking shoes for increased sightseeing distances, particularly around Global Village.
December is the month the entire world competes for UAE hotel rooms. Advance planning is not optional — it is the difference between a great trip and a frustrating one. Book flights, hotels, restaurant tables for New Year’s Eve, and attraction slots (Burj Khalifa especially) as far ahead as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is December a good time to visit the UAE?
- December is one of the best months to visit but also the most expensive and busiest. Perfect weather (20–26°C), UAE National Day on December 2, Christmas celebrations, Dubai Shopping Festival launch, and New Year's Eve fireworks make it peak season. Book everything months ahead.
- What is UAE National Day and does it affect travel?
- UAE National Day on December 2 marks the 1971 union of the seven emirates. Fireworks, light displays, and parades run across all emirates. Some roads close for processions, and central Dubai and Abu Dhabi traffic is heavy that evening. Hotels fill on December 2 — plan ahead.
- How are New Year's fireworks in Dubai?
- Dubai's Burj Khalifa New Year's Eve display is consistently one of the world's most watched. [Ras Al Khaimah](/city/ras-al-khaimah/) also runs a major fireworks show at Al Marjan Island — less crowded than Dubai, with hotel packages from approximately AED 400–900 per person. Arrive early for good street viewing positions.